DNA loss in the developing cerebellum of nervous mouse: a flow cytometric study

Flow-cytometry of cerebellar EGL cells of nervous (nr) mouse revealed a reduction in DNA quantity per cell accompanied by an increase in the DNA dispersion during 6-8 days of postnatal life. This loss of DNA is due to a partial degeneration of the cells of EGL during the first week of postnatal life. The surviving cells later on achieve a DNA content equivalent to their bone marrow cells. The flow-cytometric technique also facilitates an early detection of the homozygous nervous mutant, almost 2 weeks before the clinical manifestation of the disease, which to date was not possible.